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“I must say that I fancy myself a happy hour veteran…my round waist and several different sizes of jeans in my closet that go unworn can attest to this.  I say this to gain street credit  for my following review of Lauro Kitchen.

We stopped at Lauro on a whim because of the great looking location from the outside.  My first tip this would be great was the opening of the door 10 minutes earlier than there posted opening time because they saw us outside….Jade Lounge you might want to take a few lessons from this…if you open at 5 then be open at 5, sorry I will save this rant for my review of them.

Anyway…let’s get back on point.

My point is this, simply put.

Great happy hour, seriously their happy hour portions are huge.  We had the Calamari, excellent and the Lamb and Feta pizza, again excellent.  We sat at the bar and couldn’t believe the huge happy hour burgers that were delivered to our neighbors.  Next time for sure the burgers, a 1/2 pound burger that looked and smelled great.   We even got bread served to us with olive oil, during happy hour, seriously who does that after they know you are ordering off the happy hour menu.  I will tell you who…Lauro, for those of you who are not following along.

Let’s not forget the excellent service that we received.  The bartender was attentive, knowledgeable, and charming.  He truly seemed to enjoy his job, and big shout out to him, didn’t get his name, good luck quitting smoking…you can do it.

I love where I live!  I moved from the suburbs in July to SE and  can’t believe the amount of amazing places that we have encountered.  I need to get busy on my Yelping….and spend a serious amount of time in the gym.

Thank you Lauro for making my money spent worth it.”

Here’s that Happy Hour Menu LF was so excited about.

Valentine’s Day is just one week away. We hope you’ll join us for a truly special evening!

Valentine’s Day Specials at Lauro Kitchen

Roasted Eggplant and Garlic Soup with White Truffle Oil

Seared New England Scallops with Cauliflower Puree and Crispy Chickpeas

Grilled Local Sturgeon with Black Pepper Polenta, Roasted Wild Mushrooms and Salsa Verde

Braised Pork Cheeks With Saffron Runner Beans, Chorizo and Fennel

Vanilla Bean, Hazelnut and Mascarpone Cheesecake

Reserve your table here>> 

Dine in Division Clinton

RULES

Here’s How to Enter—–It’s Easy!

Every time you dine at one of these stars of the Division Dining/Clinton Cuisine promotion have your card stamped with their official stamp. Turn in stamped card or with 2 or more stamps enter your card in a special drawing to win a selected gift certificate from the restaurants. With 5 or more stamps you are eligible for the grand prize drawing of a package of multiple gift certificates to selected restaurants. This campaign ends Saturday, February 25, 2012. Turn in stamped cards at any participating restaurants. Drawing to be held in March. Winners will be notified by phone. One dining card and one prize per person. Dining card and prizes can not be redeemed for cash.

All the info is here>>

Lauro Kitchen will be open on Christmas Eve. You can make your Christmas Eve reservation here>>

The Willamette Week’s Restaurant Guide for 2011 is just out and Lauro Kitche is again making headlines.

“With the feel of a cozy neighborhood joint, plus chef-owner David Machado’s downtown pedigree, Lauro pulls off the tricky feat of being both homey and fancy. Solo regulars sit at the long counter watching the kitchen magic happen; meanwhile, couples in jeans and T-shirts occupy the room’s copper-topped tables alongside families. Even when it’s packed, the place never feels too crowded, which is good, because you’ll need a bit of elbow room to dig into these meals. A reliable favorite is the immense New York steak, served on a bed of kale with roasted potatoes and topped with a béarnaise sauce that might damn well make you weep. You could punch somebody out with the ossobuco. The seafood paella and the stuffed chicken are also very good. And no matter how full you feel, do not neglect the dessert menu: A recent crème brûlée special looked too pretty to eat, but that quality did not save the limoncello ice-cream sundae from being devoured. Hey, looks aren’t everything”

- BECKY OHLSEN

Ideal meal: Roasted asparagus, grilled New York steak, ice-cream sundae.

Best deal: Happy hour 5-6 pm Monday-Friday offers $3-$7 food and $4-$6 drinks.

5-9 pm Sunday-Monday and Wednesday-Thursday, 5-10 pm Friday-Saturday. $$

Hosted by  Chef David Machado

Wines by Todd Bacon of Admiralty Beverages Hosted by Steve Neighorn

Thursday, September 22, 2011, 6:00 p.m.

Willamette Week says, “Lauro Kitchen’s creative play with Mediterranean flavors revitalizes the casual neighborhood bistro.”  This special dinner by acclaimed chef David Machado promises to show off his flair for taking bistro food to a new level.  David Machado’s passion for fresh, locally grown, and sustainable ingredients combined with his artistry and loyalty to authentic cooking has spanned a 20-year career as a nationally recognized chef and restaurant owner.  This night his creativity and vision will come to your Chef’s Table event as a celebration of fall’s bounty.  Vegetarian option available with prior notice.

Reservation information is here>>
All Chef’s Table events hosted at the Vibrant Table Loft on SE Belmont.

Roasted eggplant and garlic soup

Seared scallops with warm chickpea and fennel salad and romesco sauce

Pan roasted local Sturgeon  with cauliflower puree and charmoula vinaigrette

Grilled Ahi Tuna with saffron, currant and pistachio rice pilaf and blood orange vinaigrette

Trio of dark chocolate, raspberry and white chocolate mousse with armarena cherry

We’re making a small change to our winter hours. Starting Tuesday, January 11, Lauro Kitchen will be closed for dinner on Tuesday nights. Aside from that change, our hours remain the same. Thanks!

…

Baby, It’s Warm Inside

How to stay warm on these cold, windy winter nights? Collect some friends and neighbors and head for the warm, cozy and fragrant atmosphere of Lauro Kitchen. Take a seat at the chef’s counter where the oven is burning bright. Sip a fine wine or a microbrew, order the pizza of the day, or maybe the hearty Beef Bourguignon. Who cares what the weather is like outside? In a few minutes, you’re going to be so warm and happy inside it may feel like summer again.

Holiday Coupon and Holiday Cheer at Lauro

It’s the perfect gift for you and your holiday guests. We are offering our favorite customers a Lauro Kitchen Holiday Coupon. It’s good Sunday through Thursday nights. The coupon is valid from December 1 through December 30^th. Take 20% off your meal and feel free to use it as often as you wish. Happy Holidays from Lauro!

New Dishes and Drinks Light up our Winter Menu

Here’s a lineup of Lauro Kitchen’s newest appetizers, salads and entrée’s. We’re making two new appetizers; a very flavorful Portuguese Chourico and Kale Soup. We’re also doing a Seared Pork Belly with French Lentils and Pomegranate Glaze. Two new salads (old favorites actually) are back on the menu; the Café Salad of Endive, Apple, French Blue Cheese and Walnuts and the Roasted Beet salad with Pears, Hazelnuts, and Feta Cheese. Our newest winter entrée is the French Classic, Beef Bourguignon with Fried Polenta. We have a new pasta, a house made Egg Tagliatelle with a rich Bolognese meat sauce. Be sure to try our latest pizza, a Pear, Prosciutto, Goat Cheese and Thyme creation.

Make a dinner reservation here>>

The Consigliere | The Return of Daren Hamilton

Lauro Kitchen co-founder, and current general manager of Nel Centro, Daren Hamilton has been promoted to Director of Restaurant Operations for Lauro, Vindalho and Nel Centro. Daren is now working closely with the Lauro staff on Thursday nights. Stop by to say hello and wish Daren good luck in his new role.

New Cocktails and Microbrews for Winter

Out with the vodka’s and gins and in with the bourbon and ryes.

Bulleit Old Fashioned

Bulleit Bourbon, Muddled Orange and Amarena Cherry

Sazerac

Rye Whiskey, Peychaud’s Bitters and Pernod

Our newest tap handle addition is Pilot Rock Porter from the Caldera Brewing Company in Ashland, OR. It’s a smooth, creamy, chocolate laden delight.

Kudos for Lauro from The Willamette Week Restaurant Guide
From the 2010 Restaurant Guide: “Lauro’s clean, open space, savvy Mediterranean menu and hardworking professional servers have brought some welcome urbanity to Southeast Portland dining. Try the butter lettuce salad with ripe avocado and tarragon vinaigrette or, the moist, tender chicken breast stuffed with herbed goat cheese and served with braised spinach and tart quince sauce. Coupled with ample, moderately priced portions, chef David Machado’s formula has created legions of repeat customers.”

Open Table Reservations

If there’s any chance that you thought Lauro Kitchen did not accept reservations, good news! We do accept reservations and it could not be easier. You can reserve a table with us from your computer or your smart phone. We use Open Table, a free online reservation system. Visit the Lauro website at http://www.laurokitchen.com and click on reservations. On your smart phone, just download the free Open Table app and you’re set to go.

Holiday Gift Suggestion – Lauro Kitchen Gift Certificates
Looking for that perfect gift idea? A Gift Certificate for dinner at Lauro Kitchen is a great idea for your foodie friends, family and business associates. You can purchase a gift certificate online by visiting the Lauro website.

Williamette Week Restaurant Guide 2010 swoons for Lauro:

Veteran Portland chef David Machado was looking mainly for a location near his own home when he opened Lauro in 2003, but Lauro’s clean, open space, savvy Mediterranean menu and hardworking, professional servers brought some welcome urbanity to Southeast Portland dining, as did Dave “Guy du Vin” Holstrom’s smart wine list. Coupled with ample, moderately priced portions, Machado’s formula has created legions of repeat customers. The complimentary herb bread is invitingly yielding. One gets a clear sense the kitchen really tastes everything here; few if any indifferent ingredients make it to the table, from the butter lettuce salad with ripe avocado and tarragon vinaigrette to the moist, tender chicken breast stuffed with herbed goat cheese and served with braised spinach and tart quince sauce. A harissa aioli gives a boost to the local salmon with Moroccan citrus and frisée salad. Desserts, such as the dry chocolate midnight cake, are weak; consider saving your sweet tooth for Pix Pâtisserie across the street. ANGIE JABINE.

Ideal meal: In summer, start with the wonderful mixed melon salad with feta, pine nuts, pungent olives and just enough mint; proceed to the braised lamb shoulder with tomatoes, olives and polenta.

Best deal: During Lauro’s “hour of happiness,” well drinks are $5 and the Lauro burger with dry-aged jack cheese is $6.

Thanks!